The week ahead: Art, beer and First Friday

RALEIGH, N.C. — A celebration of local art, a beer release and downtown Raleigh's First Friday highlight the week ahead.

Another fundraiser dinner at The Cookery in Durham is today. Tickets for Toro Dreams of Pho are $35 and there are two seatings to choose from. Proceeds benefit KidzNotes.

Sample food and wine, including delicious chocolate truffles, at Bull Street Gourmet and Market's Truffles & Bubbles event. Tickets are $20 or $35 for two.

Grammy Award-winner Angelique Kidjo performs at the Hayti Heritage Center this evening. Tickets start at $40.

Kick off another year of art and creativity with the RAW Raleigh Awakening event at the Lincoln Theatre. Every other month local artists are showcased at RAW events. Tickets are $15 in advance.

The NC Comedy Arts Festival begins today and runs through February 16. Each night features different comedians at several venues in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Durham.

The release of Foothills Brewing Company's annual stout, Sexual Chocolate, is better than ever this year. The Sexual Chocolate Release Party at The Pour House is this evening, and all proceeds benefit the SPCA. There will be a Ms. Sexual Chocolate Pageant, live music and delicious beer. Plus, it's free.

It's also First Friday, so head downtown for art, food and fun. We'll have a rundown of events later in the week.